Multicolor-printing press



C. A. RICHARDS.

IVIULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS. APPLICATION FILED MM2?. I92I.

C. A. RICHARDS.

MULTIcoLoH PRINTING'PRESS,

APPLICATION FILED MAY27, 1921.

Patented May 30, 1922 l v J2 20w J6 Il SHEETS-SHEET 2. Pfg J2 J0 1,? l

C. A. RiCHARDS.

MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZI, I92I.

1,417,769. l l Patented May30,1922.

ll SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ZET? C. A. RICHARDS.

yIVIULTICC'LOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. I92I.

c. A. RICHARDS.

MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS. APPLICATION lImran MM2?, 1921.

1,417,769. Patented May 30, 1922.l

1I SHEETS-SHEET 5.

73067 57 @fm/@f 'yg/EM /j/I/ ya@ www C. A. RICHARDS.

MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MM2?. I'szI.

1,417,769. Patented 1m30, 1922.`

1l SHEETS-SHEET 6I C. A. RICHARDS.

IVIULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS. I APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1921. 1,417,769. Patented May 30,1922.

II SHEETS-SHEET 7.

a, IIIIIII- I IIIII' NI of@ IIiIII IIIII IIIIIIIII InummmIIIIIII"III 66 IIIIII HH IIIIIIIII II C. A. RICHARDS.

'MULTICOLOR PRENTING PRESS.

APPLICATION HLED MAY27.192|.

Patented May 30, '1922.

` Il SHEETSSHEET 8.

HUMM- C. A. HCHAHDS.

MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSu APPLICATION min MM2?, 192s.

Patente@ May 30, w22.

1F SHEETS-SHEET 9.

C. A. RICHARDS.

MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILI-:D MM2?, 1921.

1,417,769. Patented May 30, 1922.

1l SHEETS-SHEET if).

C. Al RICHARDS.

IIIULTICOLOH PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION fILED MAYZ?, 192i.

m zu@ JL/z j@ l 27,13677, o7" Char/esq@ Wie/zart@ UNiTsb 'STATES UCHARLES A. RICHARDS,

application nica 'may 27,

in` Itwill be explained as applied to 'a cylinder printing press although it may be emplmgfed in other types of presses.

ne of the objects of this invention is to providel anI improved multi-color printing ress.

y Another object is to provide va press in which 'a large number of different colors may be rinted with one impression.

no ther'object is to provide a press in' which there-is no interference, yoverlapping or displacement of the multi-colored. impres-y sions.

Fi 9. Fig. 11^isv an enlarged sideelevation of the Another object is to provide an improved multicolor cylinder printing press.

Another object is to provide a press wherein the multi-color attachments may be relmoved as units. Y

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

An embodiment of theinvention is illusv trated inthe accompanying drawings.

The Iviews in the drawings are as follows: Fig; 1 isa side elevation of a cylinder multi-color printing press, part of the ress which is old and -well known being omitted.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the ink distributing portion of thepress. Fig. 3'is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1. Fig. .4 is asection on the line 1 4 of Fig. 3.v Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of apart of the section shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is 'an enlarged top plan of the ductor rollers of the ink distributing system. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7--7 of Fig. 6. Fig. I8 is an enlarged section on the line- 8-`-8 ofFig.1. w

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on the 'line' 9-9of Fig. l.l l 'f llig. 10 isa section on the line 10-10 of control mechanism.

MULTIcoLoR-PRINTING PRESS.

Specification of Iietter's lfateiit.' l' Patented PAriiN-r ori-*ica `Fig.1 2 isa section ontheline `12,--f12of "ignl is an enlarged top 'of one of lecting mechanism on one side of the press,

showingone of the many selective combinations which may be set up. i

F 16 is an end elevation thereof. l F 1g. 17 is a diagrammatic top plan of a section of a printingv or'marrange'd to be selectively' inked b the arrangementof mechanisin shown in -igs. l5 andlvs'- Fig. 1-8 is a broken'perspec'tive of a typical Selecting cam track sect-ion, and

Fig. 19 isa brokenperspective of the type frame, showing the arrangement of the form chase andthe selecting cam tracks.

The printing presscomprises, in general, a flat reciprocating bed carrying the setup form to be printed, a Vcylindrical laten for carrying the paper yor other material to and pressing the same against the form, an ink distributing, system for conveying the', col-4 oredfinks from the ink fountains to the forms ferring the'inks from theink system tothe forms.

The baz.

tangular frame work of metal which supports and to whichthefform chase may be secured. The bed is reciprocated back and vforth so that it .applies-the forms in the chase first t o the ink distributing system and next to the' material on thev revolving platen.

Thus the ink is conveyed to" th'e form 'andfrom the form to the paper or other material being printed. Various well known arrangevments may be used for reciprocating the bed.

The platea.

The platen 2 is alsowell known in various forms. lIn genera1,.it comprises a rotatable cylinder 2 whiohearries the paper or other and a'selecting system. :forselcotively transdistributing i sisbed or type frame 1 is inarily employed in cyl- In general it comprises-a ysubstantially rec- 9.9

. l cating form rollers E whichy transfer the inks from the' intermediate rollers to the material from a hopper 3, o-r other suitable feeding mechanism, over yand against the forms .1n the chase on the bed, when thesa-me is beneath the laten, andthento suitable conveyors or ot er delivery mechanism 4.

I nk* distrbwtingv'sysaml.

'- The ink distributin'ggsystemcompri-ses, in

l general, a plurality of sets ofink storin fountains A, reciprocating ductor rollers:` forconveying ink' from'the fountains, lon

' ,gitudinally oscillating vibrator rollers C rwhich receive inkfrom'the ductor rollers, sets of intermediate rollers-D which receive ink from the vibrator rollers, and recipro`.

forms in the chase on the type frame.

Fozmtaz'nsfr-The fountainsA are the re-L ceptacles in which the vari-colored inks are retained and from whichtheinks are fed to the rollersx'- The,fountainsare arranged in setstransversely ofthe pressand are adapted lfor individualfor set adjustment, placement and removal. Each fountain is adapted to'contain' inkof a different color or shade from the rest so that the maximum number lof colors capable of being printed on a given .press at one im ression is dependent upon the number of ountains the press can accommodate'. A press can print, at one impression, from one color up to the maximum .number/of colors representedby the .maxi- In the'press illustrated there are six ons'equently the press illustrated,` as it is shown equipped, can plri-nt a maximum ofninety-s'ix differ` ent s ades and colors.v Ofcourse the` foun` tains ma 'be made wider or narrower as de"` sired an consequently the number fof foim4 tains per set may be ,varied to suit the' conditions of the work to bedone. Somefoun-V tains maybe wide and pothers narrowand y many that the character. and varietyofwork which of colors also maybe increased by setting "two'or more adjacent fountains together and j supplying them with the same color'of ink.,` f-

If this is donethe inks ofthe same color may be blended together by regulatingtle lma amount of axial movementof the vibrator rollers, as hereinafter described sin@ theindividuai ffounaineand sae tends. YRod 24 has its upper end threaded are alike only.; one need be described'.

j Each lfountain, comprises a somewhat tri; angular shaped hopperor compartment 11mg in side wa 1 .is closed to a more or le extentv by a rotatable metallic fountain roller 9,1' which lits other ,adjustments may be.,II.1ade fS0 can be done is varied andl great.Y The ,-widtli hsg and l6,(Figs. -13 and 14),'an 'y en wall 7 and aj sloping adjustable bottom,

between side walls 5 and 6. The bottom of ered to all of the fountain rollers 9 of thatV set. Each end of shaft '11 is journaled in a bracket 12 which fits into a diagonally disposed recess or notch in the side frames of the press. Thebrackets are thus held against rotation` but -may be removed asdesired. Adjustment of the set is accomplished by a cap screw 13 (F ig. 2) at each end. The

rotation of thecap -screws elevates or lowersl the respective brackets in their recesses inl the side'frames.v

Each pair of brackets carries a cross bar 14 rigidly between them. The backs of the sets of fountainslrest against their respective cross bars 14 and are `prevented from rotating thereby. Since the fountain roll.-

ers are feathered on their respective shafts 11 the fountains may be individually adj ustedl longitudinally of their shafts (trans versely of the press). The .proper adjustment is maintained by cap screwsl. which A' clamp against the cross bar. Y

Rotation of fountain? Tollway-The removal of theinks from thefindividual fountains and the evendistributionv thereof to the ductor rollers is facilitated by positively rotating the fountain rollersby'sets.

Each fountain set .shaft 11 has 'a ratchet .wheel v16 rigidly secured thereto. JOi-Irnaled upon each shaft 11 is abell crank 'lever 17 having aff spring pressed; pawlv 18 'pivotally connected to one arm thereof. Pawls 18 cooperate with the teeth of their` respective ratchetwheels 16 to rotate the same. `The lower arms. of bell 'crank levers'1'7 are pro-v vided n, :with laterally projecting lugs 19 which fit in to sockets in an oscillating bar 2O. y r Bar 20 is' .pivotally carried near its opposite ends by` a p'airof'rock'er arms 2 1. Bar 2() has alinlm22y connected thereto. The other endof link v22 is connected to ione arm ofabtell crank lever 23 which is' pivotally carried by the .press side frame. The other arm'- of bell .crank lever 23 has a hole therein and r through this hole a rod or link 24 eX- toreceive aniit 25.` Abollar or stop 26 is adjustably secured to"f`rod,24 and between collar .26 and the-:lower l,arm of lever -23 is a 'c'oil'spring 27'i"'f""The lower end of rod 24 is pivotally connected to one of a pair of similar ,cams 28. .Cams 28'- are keyed to a shaft 29 which is rotated in the direction of the arrow by 'a pair of gear wheelsf30 wheel 32 which is keyed to a shaft 33. Shaft 33. is driven from the source of p ower of the press through gear wheels 34, 35, 36 and 37. v

When the press is in operation shaft 29 is rotated by the gear train31, 32, 34, 35, 36v and 37, and rod;l 24 isreciprocated. The downward movement of rod 24 causes nut 25 to rotate bell crank lever 23 in an anticlockwise direction'forcing link 22 and bar 20 to the'left (Fig.` 1). Thisl movement of bar 20 rotates all of the bell vcrank levers 17 in a clockwise direction and the pawls 18 vcarried thereby engage the teeth of their ref spective ratchet wheels 16 and the fountain set shafts and Yconsequentlyfallof the fountain rollers are rotated a slightA amount. The upward movement of rod 24 tends to move nut 25 away from lever 23 but the force of spring 27 rotates the lever in thev reverse direction. 'This reversefmovement moves bar 20 to the right and all of the levers 17 are rocked in a counter clockwise direction carrying their respective pawls idly over the teeth of their ratchet wheels-l Thus while the press is in operation the ink fountain rollers are intermittently rotated alwaysl in the same direction to remove a small quantity of ink from the fountains and convey the same to the ductor rollers. "The amount the fountain rollers are rotated at veach stepmay be regulated by. the position of nut 26.

' This intermittent operation of the fountain rollers may be stopped while the press is in operationlaswill lbe hereinafter described.

Dacia? 1'0ZZers.-Each set offountains has a corresponding d uctor roller B. The ductor rollers are preferably made of composition which is well known in the art.'

The ductor rollers are carried together by a .ductor frame, shown in detail in Figs. 6`

and 7. The ductor frame has two side Abars 40 and 41 rigidly interconnected by cross rods 42 and 43. The side bars have corre-- sponding pair'sor sets of brackets 44 and 45 pivotally connected thereto. Each pair of brackets has a shaft 46 journaledl at its opposite ends therein and upon'these shafts are the ductor rollers. -The pivoted brackets allow theductor rollers to individually.

rise when they come yin contact with their corresponding vibrator rollers, thus insuring a good contact therebetween. The rollers are' prevented from dropping or swing-- ing around with their brackets by stops 47 which form abutments for cap screws 48 carried by the 'brackets The. adjustment allowed by the cap screws makes it possible to readily govern the pressure between the ductor rollers and the fountain and vibrator rollers by regulating the distance the ductor rollers and. their brackets :can rotate.

rollers 49 and tracks 50 and 51. The'tracks are providedA with notches 53 in which roll'- ers '49 rest when the frame is in operating position within the cradle.

The ductor frame is locked inthe cradle by a pair ofsliding bolts 54 which may be projected into and removedfrom holes in the side members of t er cradle. These bolts are operated by a pair of links 55 secured thereto and to an operating handle 56 which is pivotally connected to a bracket 57 carried by cross bar 43.

The ductor cradle is oscillated so that the ductor rollers carried thereby are alternately brought into contact with the fountain'rollers and the vibrator rollers. The cradle is carried by two pairs' of links 58. and 59, one link of each paix` being pivoted to opposite side frames of the press. Links 58 are journaled at one end near the opposite ends of 'bars 52.` Bar 52 has a pair of connecting rods 60 pivotally connected Ato its opposite ends. The lower ends of rods'60 are pivotedto levers 61 through adjustable elbows 62. Levers 61 each vcarry a cam roller 63, which bear lupon the surfacesof cams 28. Consequently when cams 28 are rotated. through gear train 37, 36, 35, 34, 32, 31 and 30 in the operation of the press as hereinbefore described Athey ductor cradle, ductor frame and rollers are alternate-ly moved into the position shown by the vfull lines of Fig. 4 where the ductor rollers engage the fountain rollers and the position shown by the dotted lines where the ductor rollers engage the vibrator-rollers C.

Vbmtor rollers-Each set of fountains has a corresponding vibrator roller C.. The vibrator rollers are preferably made of steel and are in sections, each section corresponding to a fountain in the corresponding s et.

The vibrator rollers are'carried together ina frame and may be inserted and removed as a unit.

Fig'. 8 shows est detail.

'The sections of each vibrator roller are adjustably but rigidly secured toa shaft by set screws 71.y Shafts. 70 are journaled at their opposite ends in side frames 72 and 73 of the vibrator frame. .The frameis strengthened and held together by bars 74 and 75 at opposite ends thereof. Ad`acent vibrator roller sections may be broug t tothe vibrator rollers ingreat The side frames A72 and '73 are provided with rollers 76 which support the vibrator vided with notches-'orj'deplessions .7 8 into which the vibrator frame may be moved into trarne upon the tops of the webs'of T-iron '77. One of the T-ironsextends along" and is secured to each,side frame fof the press. The top of the web of each iron 77 -ispro- -which the respectivel rollers 7 6 liewhen the frame isl in proper operative position. Thetops of the webs of irons 77 form tracks over andouto'f operative ppsition on vrollers 76. When the frame isfmovedfin, lrollers 76 are` upon theelevated sections of thetracks and thegvibrator rollers held above the upper of intermediate "inking, rollers D. As

the rrame approaches operative j 'position rollers pass' down theinclined surfaceshf brator rollers in 'proper-- relation to4 the inf termediate inking ro l explained infconnection with the dul'ctor frame. 1 A f Rotation of the distribution. of inky the, vibratorJr'ejillersv g sures-a more uniform distribution of ink.

l are positively rotated..`

t, Each vibrator roller haft'has 81 rigidly secured thereto; -These pinions in pairsengage pinions;` 82 carried by shafts 83 journaled in side frame 7 2 of the vibra-tory frame. The end of each shaft-83'is-lprovided with `the tonguedmember of a coupling 84;?.

The grooved membersof cou lings 84 are carried by stud shats'j85 s lidahlyjournaled in the side frameyof ythe I remss... The stud shafts are slidablyfoxirna ed'- so that they may he moved in an outto connect and disconnect couplings 84; vEach shaft 85 has a pinion 86 rigidly secured there@ Pinions 86 are driven by ear wheel 36 throughsuitable gear trains sghownin outline in Fig. 1. When the vibrator lframe is pulled out of operative position the couplings 84 are separated by moving shafts 85 axially, and When the frame is moved 'to operative position the couplings are readily engaged to provide the drive for the vibrator rollers.

Vibration of vibrator rollers--To further k improve the uniform distributionof ink the vibrato-r rollers are reciprocated axially or transversely ofthe press.

vA pinion 90 is secured to a stud shaft journaled to the press frame.v Pinion 90 lThe yframe may be readily 'pulled -outQ-for theinspection'y; cleaningandf removal olf-.the vibrator rollers. The frame: is locked in :position in the press f Vframe by ajpair oslidingzbolts 79 which:- cooperate wlth Ysocl'ets fin the press side] 80 frames. `The bolts are, slidabl-y moantedon bracketsl 80l carried by' rod 75 and are a ctu ated by linksandl a handle as' hereinbeforely 'when the same are depressed, and 'remove jy ink therefrom, 'Theaxial movement betweengthe' positively driven and vibrated has a connecting rod 91 eccentrically connected thereto. The upper end of rod 91 l is connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 92, the other armfof which, is connected to a link98. Link 93 is con-` and pivotally connected to three double bell nected to a link- 94. ALink l94 is carried 'by crank levers 95. "Levers 95 are pivotally se-A cured tothe press side frame by pivot screwsl 96. The twofree ends-of each lever 95'are provided with rollers 97 which, when the vibrator frame is .in position, lie between collars 98 secured to vibrator roller yshafts 70. Each lever is associated with two vibrator rollers. When theypressis in operation the rota- -tion oi gear wheel- 32 reciprocates connect?, yingxrod 91 and consequently link 94. The y reciprocation of link 94 oscillates levers 95 each offwhich alternately moves in and out the; two vibrator -rollers associated therewith; The extent of movement or vibration may be regulated by an adjustable connection 99 'lhe pinion is radially slotted and, by changing the position of the'pin which 'intercon nects'the pinion and connecting rod, the ecreciprocation, may be varied.

i QAs'f'previously described the vibrator rollers are engaged by the ductor rollers,

`yibratorf rollers. and the: ductor rollers in'- The ink is transferred by the vibrator-rollers evenly, distributed film of ink is transferred to the .form rollers'. Two such setsfof intermediate rollers have been. found to give excellent results and. two sets are illustrated.

between connecting rod. 91 and pinion 90.v

centricity, and-consequently y.the amount of 'i The upper set of distributor rollers, which.

composition and there is one roller for each set'of fountains. The rider rollers are on shafts 105 andare not positively driven. Shafts 105 are journaled at opposite ends in side members 106 of a rider roller frame.

The rider frame is supported upon the 'inand removed and inserted into the press as -a unit. The framemaybe locked in posimay be called rider rollers, are composed of' moved vinto and out of operative position tributor rollers, are preferably composed of metal. It may, if desired, be sectioned to correspond te the fountains in each set, although ordinarily this is not necessary and it is not shown. There is one distributor roller for each set of fountains.

Each distributor roller is carried by a shaft 108. Shafts 108 are journaled'in the side members 109 of the distributor frame. This frame, which is similarv to those pre,- viously described, is 'suspended 1from the outside flanges of T irons 77. lThefside members each have three brackets 11C-carrying rollers 111 which ride uponthe outer fla` nges. The outer flanges may be Without depressions allowing the distributor frame to move and lie in the same plane.

The distributor rollersv are positively rotated during the operation of the press.

Each shaft 108 has 'a pinion 112 secured thereto. These pinions are engaged in pairs by pinions carried onshafts which are journaled in the'distributor frame and carry the tongued member of. a detachable' coupling 113. lThis arrangement is similarv to the drive for the vibrator rollers clearlyy shown in Fig. 8. The grooved members of couplings 113 are carried on axially movable shafts 114 each of which has a fpinion 1115 secured thereto. The three pinions 105 are drivenby'gear wheel 36 through suitable gear trains shown in outline in Fig. 1. v A The distributor rollers remove ink from the correspondihgrider rollers and' transfer the same to the form rollers E.

Form roZZersrfThe formA rollers are pref-- erably made of Icomposition and there is one roller foreach set of fountains.

w Figs. 9 and 10 show thel form rollersin greatest detail.

Each form roller is carried by a shaft 120 which is j ournaled at opposite ends in .brackets 121. Brackets 121are pivotally carried by side members 122 of aform roller frame. The form roller frame is held together and 'braced at lits ends -by rods 123 and 124]..

Brackets121 are biased downwardly against stops 125' -by springs 126. Adjusting screws 127 serve to 'individually regulate the -amount the .springs can depress their respective brackets and form roller v shaftsv at each end.'

Each side member 122.',ofthe form `iroller' vframe is provided with three supporting `'rollers 128. Rollers 128 restupon side Vframe on the side frames of thev press .by a y gof pivoted brackets" 131 on each side of the l y 1 vcradle. The form roller cradle is rocked tracks 129 of a form roller cradle 130. Form roller cradle 130 is pivotally carried pau' correspondin upon-brackets. 131 to bring the form rollers acam roller 134adaptedto ride upon a cam 135 which' is rigidly secured lto shaft 33. When shaft 33 is rotated, as previously described, the cooperation of cam 135 andi' roller 134 causes the connecting rod to recip- L rocate rocking the form roller carriage and form rollers upon brackets 131. The down- Ward movement -is arrested by adjustable stop screws 136 which engageprojecting lugs y j .on the press frame.- I v "-When theform rollers are in their lowermost position they are in condition to selectively ink the lform in .accordance with a Prearranged color combinationQ the set u 'chase' of formsis secured, has an n `elevated edge l'140e'.long eacl longitudinal edge thereof. In the'channel between ledges p 140 the chase and selecting blocks are secured.

The selecting blocks, one of which is adjacent the inner edge `of each-ledgeg140, comprises a channeled or grooi'fed metal block 141. Each 'block 140 isv provided with a seriesv of parallel'` longitudinalV "tapering walled grooves or channels 142.v These channels are forvreceiving andh'olding taper headed nuts 143 which'cooperate with screws]A 144 A(See F ig. 1:8) to hold roam-track' sec'- tions '145 tow-the selecting blocks.

along the vselecting blocks, providing fora yready adjustment of the press to prlnt' dif- The n 4grooves allpwthe track' sections to be moved l f ferent combinations, sizes, and arrangements ofcolcr impressions.

.The track sections 145 A'are metal bars prosl vided with beveled or sloping ends (seel particularly Figs. 18 and 19). Placing these bars end to end in the grooves lof the selecting block provide a 'serles of notched tracks. The looation'and length ofthe vraised and )depressed portions of the tracks formed by sections 145 may be varied as desired by changing thelengths `and separation Vof the I I iis sections: The length of ,anl elevatedsection l may be'made readily adjustable by provide', ing track sectionsv 145 with complementary offset ends146. v

fountains. hereare consequentlyA two' parallel notched selecting .tracks -for each fountain set or for each form roller.

'Each form Vroller shaft 120 is provided at In the press-illustratedthere are six lon-V gitudinal grooves in" each selecting block to Athe number of sets ofv ijs '50' receive their colorslA Each'form roller has a i eahenawah a roi-1er 147. Reliefs naar@ adapted to ride ,upon the type frame le dges' 1440 and `sustain theweight ofthe forml rollers.. when the ,same are in inking position l Q f5 as 44will"belhereinai'ter described.

' tiveform rollersare adapted to align 4with one of the longitudinal ,grooves ofV each selecting block so as to ride upon the elevated I portions of the corresponding track sections; when the `formroller cradleis depressedas hereinbefore described.

yWhen ythe `type frame moves beneathi'the forinfrollersgin-'thedirection of the platen,

theformy rollervvcradle is depressed. Cerise-- quently thel formrollers, due to the coopera q `ation ofzth'eir selecting' rollers and the cam. 2o

tracks',farre held in a'n elevated position until the.- depressions yin the tracks are reached, whereuponth'e corresponding" form roller is "allowed toedrop Aand remain depressed. The "-ro'llerfreniains depressed, lsupported. in ink ing relationjto itscorr'esponding transverse rowv of forms by rollers 147, untilv an'elevated section of track is again reached. When the 'elevatedsection is reached the -orm rolleris again raised the elevated other forni setsA in -the Jchase. When .the formfrollers are depressed, by their selecting rollers being in one ,ofthe track'depressions the rollerswill engagejand .inkany forms rangement thefcontact between transverse rowsfof forms and the prin rollers is selec- -fzti-vely controlled'so that the colors carried jby 'any' particular form rollerl'areV `applied chase.

i `of colors the forms are set'andlocked in "the `chase and the selecting track` l.sections are v jbeneath'the depressedform roller cradle-the `form rollers are held above `the transverse rows or sets of forms whichv arenot to receive their colors but are allowedto drop and ink those transverserows of forms which should band-,or strip of color corresponding to'each rfount'ain, inv the corresponding'f set. These throughout.' all of the ink distributingsystor, rider,distr ibutor, or lform has more than one coloraround its circumferencealthough each umay have'. as many colors side by side '60 as there are fountains 1n` the corresponding set.. Thus, in .the ressfillustrated as it is" 1 equlpped, each rol er has -sixteen differentytion cfa-ll of the colors l ltr'ack'seetions so lthatvit can not engage the which may be directly beneath` By this ar,

only tothe desired p'rintlingfform set inl the adjusted sothat when thetype frame.l moves control mechanism. f'

` V`vcolorsare.maintained separateand distinctl tem. No roller,whether it beductor, vibra-v vidual form vrollers and lcorresponding transverse rows orsets-of forms are designated I,- II, III, f VI in the order in Vwhich they come into `V ink transferring relation'. "The track depressions which. allow 70' the ink .transferring contact between the,

form'frollers and transverse sets of indi- .vidual forms are similarly designated. `In the illustrated combination each-form roller- ,contact's two transverse, rowsfof forms pro-'p 75 viding-for the double or duplicate reproduc- -Thus as the type frame movesiinifthe di; ICtOIl 0f the arrow toward the platen, form ,roller I, whoseselecting rollers 148 -lirst meet so' ,y v

the -right hand depression I, inks the-right Y hand transverse row of' forms I. rlhe other form'l rollers are held above-,row -I of forms because their selecting rollers 148V are on elevatedfcam track sections.. AUpon the. con- 35 tinuance of; the travel of" the type frame, formroller I lis lifted after it has inked the transverse row I of forms and when depression II is reached form roller II is depressed to ink-.transverse fow II. 1';All of the other 9'0 form rollers' areA held elevated. Neic't form' l roller I- II cooperating vwith depression III inks form row. III andsf'on untill all six of 'the-forrnfrollers havej'inkedtheir corresponding'rows or sets offorins. Inthe set 95 l' up shown after one complete cycle` of inki'ngis completed `the operations are duplicated and` the second group-Lof `4forms I 'to VI, inclusive, are'inked inaffsimilarfmanner;

Uo'ntro mchawism.,.-The removal lof ink 100 from the fountains-'andi the inki-ng of the 1 forms ymay be' stopped andsta'rted' without interrupting the operationyof the'printing press.

This control is accomplished stopping v and starting the rotation ,ofthe 'fountain rollers andthe oscillationof the vform roller cradle. y '..Figs 11and12 show th details of the f" Pivoted to the press -frame is a foot'lever 1 50whose shaft 151 has a pair of-levers 152 secured thereto. Each lever 152 has a block l 15.3 at its free end. A pair of trip rods 154,v

and\155 slidably fit inl openings in one block 11.5 153 vwlnle the block of they other lever has an opening only for a rod 154. ,y Rods 154 are each provided with adjusting nuts 15G andfb'etween nuts 156 and block v153, is encircledby a' coil spring 157.1204

Each` rod 154 is connected to an. arm 158 lprojecting from a collar 159 which is freely carried by sha.ft l33.- Therotation lof shaft 33 does not move collars v159 but these. colp larsfmay be oscillate'd independently of the 125 thus control the oscillations of the form` which yis pivotally secured to the :press side frame on a pivot pin 165. The upper endy of lever 164 is formed into a hook 166, which is adapted` to engage and hold one arm of' lever 23 and thus arrest the oscillation'of .bar and the fountainl roller pawls. ,v

When it` is desired to stop the fountainv rollers'and the oscillations of the form roller cradle without stopping the entire press, the

1 5 operator depresses treadler 150.- The depres-y sion oftreadle 150 rocks levers 152, which through springsf157 and 163, moves bothY of thetrip rods 154 and trip rod 155. Rods,

154 rotate collars 159 and cams 161 lifting 2o rollers 134 clear of cams 135. The oscillation of the lform roller cradle isA thereby stopped. At the Sametime the loscillation of levers 152 draws back trip rod 155 rocking lever 164in a clockwise direction (Fig. '25 11) about'it's pivot 165 and moving hook 166 into a `position to interlock with lever 23 of the fountain roller operating system. On the next depression of the arm of lever 23 hook 166 interlocks withthe same and, since the lever is thus prevented from returning, the fountain roller I pawls are stopped.

Summary of ojae'orzfz'o-mk y Briefly summarized, the operation Aof the press is as follows The vari-colored inksare placed in the fountains vand arranged individually and in sets corresponding. to the desired-arrange- 40 ment of impressions. l The forms are set up in the chase and the cam track sections are adjusted so'that the form rollers will engage the proper sets or transverse rows of forms and be held from engagement with -all the other sets.

.chase in anyapproved manner;

VVhenpower is turned onto the press the type carriage reciprocates as is usual in cylinder presses, moving alternately beneath 5o the form rollers to ink the forms and beneath the platen to transfer the inks to the paper or other material thereon. vThe'ink fountain rollers are intermittently rotated, al-

' ways in the same direction, to remove the inks from the fountains. The ductor roller cradle oscillates up and down bringing the ductor rollers alternately into contact with the fountain rollers and the vibrator rollers. The cams operating the fountain rollers and oscillating the ductor cradlefare so related that the fountain rollers are rotated 'while they are in contact with the ductor rollers. I Thus each set of fountain rollers transfers 'to the corresponding ductor roller a set of colors corresponding to the colored tween the ductor and vibrator Vrollers 'effect- 'ing a uniform transfer of ink's therebetween. l v

against the thereby. A er theimpres'sions arefrnade thef' The forms are locked in the inks in the fountains.v The rolling .contact 4between-the .fountain and ductor rollers in- -sures an even' distribution 4of ink.

When the. 'ductorrollers are down, .due to the depression ofthe'ductor-cradle, the inks von .each set thereofiare transferred to the corresponding vibrator roller. The positive drive and vibration'bf the vibrator rollers lcause afrolling andsliding contactv be- [The vibrator rollers transfer.` the inks to the 'corresponding rider rollers, which in tur'n transfer the saine to the distributor rollers.

The distributor "rollers pass the inks to the corresponding form rollers when the form' roller cradle is up bringing the corresponding rollers into xcontact. i lWhile the form rollers are uptaking ink from the distributor rollers the typel frame moves back under the form roller cradle and then starts forward toward the platen.v Before the forms come beneath the form yrollers in this' forward movement the form roller cradle isdownin operative relationtothe cam tracks carried -by the type frame. l The type frame passes along under the form rollers which are selectively brought into contact with the proper sets of forms inking the same.Y The type frame then passes beneath theplaten and the forms arepressed aper or other material carried paper is delivered from the platen, the type carriage returns to again ink the forms and the cycle of operations is repeated.

The inks in each set or transverse row yof colors is maintained independent and separate from the inks of other sets. No roller 1 05 carries more than one color circumferentially and, since thetransverse separation of colors is not. at all difficult. there is no tendency to mix or overlap the colors aving described my invention what I claim as new 4and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is L i '1. A multi-color printing press having a plurality of sets of ink fountains, la platen, u a form roller for each set of fountains, in-`2115 termediaterollers yfor transferring ink between each set offountains and a corresponding-form roller, a' reciprocatory' type f rame for carrying the ,forms betweenthe form rollers and the platen, and means for selectively bringing the form rollers into contact with forms onthel type frame.

2..,A1multi-color. printing press having a platen; afplurality of sets of ink fountains, each set containing aplurality of independent individual fountains; a form roller for.

" contact between the form ranged in sets, a reciprocatory type'frame into contact w1thJ 'i platen, a reciprocatory type frame for holdcarryirigprinting forms in sets correspond'- ing to the setsof'fount'ains, a plurality of- 'selectively'operable form rollers one'for each, set of fountains, aseries of rollers individual.

to each set offountainsand transferrin the inks therefrom to the corresponding orm roller, and selecting means associated with the form lrollersand lthe type frame forselectively bringing therespective form rollers forms. Y

4. A multi-color printing press having a platen, a series of 1ink fountains arranged in sets, a reciprocatory type frame for carrying printing forms arranged in sets corresponding to the sets of fountains, a plurality of intermediate rollers for transferring ink from the fountains, a plurality of individually selectable form rollers which lare oscillated together alternately in a yposition to engage the intermediate rollers andv the forms .in the type frame, and means for nselectively bringing the form rollers into contact with corresponding sets of forms, i

5. A multi-color printing press* having a ing a' plurality of sets of printing forms and carrying the same alternately into inking position and into printing position relative to the platen, a plurality of inking fountains arranged in sets corresponding to the sets of forms, a form roller for each set of founvtains and transferring the ink supplied thereby to the forms, and selecting meansi'for selectively causing the'form rollers to contact with the printing forms on the frame before the same moves to printing position. A

6. A multi-color printing press having a plurality, of sets of ink fountains, each having a rotatable fountain roller for transferring the ink therefrom, an' oscillating form roller cradle, a plurality of form rollers carried by lthe cradle and individually movcorresponding 'of' roller for each set of fountains, an independent seriesfof ink distributing rollers between each set of. fountainsl and a corresponding form roller, a reciprocating type frame for. holding printing forms in sels corresponding to the fountains and movable to the form rollers for obtaining ink and to the platen for printing impressions, and se- A 4 lecting means for causing certain form rollers to engage certain setsof forms.

" 8. A multi-color printing press having a rotatable platen, a plurality of formrollers,

a reciprocatory type frame for holding a chase in which printing forms may be arranged in sets -corresponding to theform rollers and movable to the form rollers to ink the forms and to the platen to apply ink from the forms, a plurality of individually adjustable ink fountains capable of being arranged in sets corresponding to the form rollers, one set foreach form roller, a series vof ink distributing rollers individual 'to each form roller and corresponding set of foun-i tains and acting to convey the inks from the fountain sets to corresponding form rollers, and selecting means to cause the form rollers to selectively engage sets of forms when Vthe type frame is moved to ink receiving pomeans including adjustable cam tracks mounted on the type frame and acting to bring certain'form rollers in contact with certainl sets of `forms and prevent .contact with other sets of forms when the type frame is moved to inking position, a series of sets of ink fountains, one set lfor each form roller, and ink distributing rollers between each set of fountains and corresponding form roller.

10. A multi-color printing press having ink fountains for arrangement in sets; aplurality of groups of ink distributing rollers, each group including a roller for each set of fountains; an independently removable frame for carrying each group of ink distributing rollers; a platen; a fountaiirroller for each set of fountains and to whichinks are transferred by the distributing rollers; a

type frame movable between the form rollers and the platen and on which forms may be arranged in sets corresponding to the founv -tain sets; and means for causlng selective contact between forms and form rollers.

11. A-multi-color printing press having a series of ink distributing rollers, sets of ink fountains, a form roller for each set of founwhich forms may be arranged in corresponding sets and movable to the form rollers, adjustable selecting rollers for each' form roller, and adjustable cam tracks carried by the type frame, the selecting rollers and cam tracks cooperating when the type frame moves to the form rollers to eauseicontaet between some forms and `form rollers and revent' Contact between other forms and orm rollers. .In testimony whereof I hereuntosubscribe 

